2001 Rem-Virgin - 724385073229
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During the mid-'80s, XTC developed a deep fascination with '60s psychedelia that manifested itself on their late-1986 masterpiece Skylarking. While Skylarking was filled with lush pop reminiscent of the Beatles and Beach Boys, it was generally a sober affair, since they decided to leave many of the lighter songs off the album for B-sides and future albums. During this time, they decided to develop their alter egos of the Dukes of Stratosphear, a way to let all of their infatuation with psychedelia flourish. Both the EP 25 O'Clock and the full-length Psonic Psunspot, collected on the single-disc Chips From the Chocolate Fireball, capture the sound of '60s psychedelia remarkably well. All of the sonic details, from the fuzz guitars to the cavernous echoes and sound effects, are in place, as are the self-consciously trippy lyrics. But what makes the Dukes of Stratosphear far more than a comedy band are the songs, which happen to be some of the best pure pop tunes XTC ever wrote: "My Love Explodes" has a tense, spiraling guitar line and melody; "Little Lighthouse" and "You're My Drug" are wonderful pastiches; "The Mole From the Ministry" is a devilish homage to "I Am the Walrus" and Bowie; and the group rarely wrote a song as infectious as the bright, jangling "Vanishing Girl." Despite the clever craftsmanship, XTC has never sounded so carefree or effortless, been quite as immediately catchy or consistent -- Chips From the Chocolate Fireball is too good to be overlooked as a side-project folly, because it truly is some of the best music XTC ever made. And, coincidentally, it's some of the best psychedelic pop ever recorded as well.

Tracks:
01. 25 O'Clock [0:05:03.65]
02. Bike Ride to the Moon [0:02:23.30]
03. My Love Explode [0:03:49.30]
04. What in the World?? [0:05:01.22]
05. Your Gold Dress [0:04:42.20]
06. The Mole From the Ministry [0:05:58.58]
07. Vanishing Girl [0:02:59.60]
08. Have You Seen Jackie? [0:03:21.67]
09. Little Lighthouse [0:04:31.03]
10. You're a Good Man Albert Brown [0:03:38.65]
11. Collideascope [0:03:22.72]
12. You're My Drug [0:03:19.10]
13. Shiny Cage [0:03:17.43]
14. Brainiac's Daughter [0:03:59.40]
15. The Affiliated [0:02:31.07]
16. Pale and Precious [0:04:58.33]